Saibini
Saibini is the appellation that refers to the Mother Goddess (Devi) and the Mother of God (Deipara) in the Konkan region of western India, especially by the natives of Goa and Damaon. It is also used by both Indian Christian and Smritiist (Hindu) Konkani people all along the Canara region in Carnataca, and by the Konkani diaspora in Persian Gulf countries and Western countries. The word can be translated as 'Dame' in the English titular sense. Prior to the 1500s, the word was only used for the goddess Shantadurga or Santeri.[citation needed][undue weight? ]
The beginnings of nature worship and goddess cults predates the Indo-Aryan migrations, when the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins and others settled in Govapuri and other prominent cities of Konkan, they began worshipping the Mother Goddess by incorporating the Shakti sect. The adivasi (aboriginal) goddess Santeri of ant hills was Sanskritised by Indo-Aryans and many temples were built around huge ant hills and snake pits. Thus, Shantadurga and Santeri were worshipped by all sections of the Konkani society, including SCs and STs who were mistreated as untouchables and outcastes because their diets included beef. The Mhalsa Devi of Mardol is also commonly referred to as Saibini. The arrival of the Portuguese in Goa and Damaon and also in Portuguese Bombay and Bassein during the early sixteenth century, and saw the beginning of en masse Christianisation of the locals in the Old Conquests areas and resulted in the destruction of the temples of Santeri.
Religious syncretism and polytheistic beliefs and practices of worshipping multiple gods and goddesses was discontinued in a Christianised atmosphere, missionaries instead encouraged converts to hold a great devotion and reverence for the Christian counterpart, the Virgin-Mother figure of St Mary. Thus, St Mary as the Perpetual Virgin (Aankvaari in Konkani language and Bombay East Indian dialects), and as the Mother of God, was bestowed the title Saibini by Christians in devotional literature and hymns, though the Konkani translation of the Litany of St Mary does not mention it. A number of churches and convents dedicated to the Christian Virgin-Mother were also destroyed during the Mahratta Invasion of Portuguese Goa and Portuguese Bombay and Bassein in north Konkan, the Basilica of Mount Bandra (Bombay) was one of the few Christian places left standing during the period of Peshwa Brahmin and Mahratta varna violence.[1]
Our Lady of Miracles at Mapusa is called Milaagrichi Saibini by Goan Catholics, and Our Lady of Perpetual Succour at Maahim Church is referred to as Nityadaarachi Saibinn by Bombay East Indian Catholics in the Konkan division of Maharashtra, India.
Owing to the fact that people of different Hindu sects who visit Christian shrines and join processions to pray for their mannats (petitions), and Latin Christians who participate in certain Hindu Kuladevata festivals, the distinction between Santeri and Mother Mary are sometimes lost, and gives way to interfaith dialogue and intercommunal harmony. Mother Mary is also referred to as Monti Saibini by the Mangalorean Christians and Karwari Christians of Canara on the auspicious occasion of the Monti Fest.
References[edit]
- Dr. Manohar Rai Sardesai (2000) "A History of Konkani Literature: From 1500 to 1992." Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 9788172016647 Search this book on
.. - Marian hymns #Fatima Saibini. East-Indians.com. Retrieved on 25 July 2019.
- Honnavar: Konkani hymn CD 'Naman Ballok Jezu, Fatima Saibini’ released. 23 June 2018. Mangalore: Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd. Retrieved on 25 July 2019.
- Maria Aurora Couto (2005) "Goa: A Daughter's Story." Penguin UK. ISBN 9789351180951 Search this book on ..
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